MovieChat Forums > Us (2019) Discussion > The Case of Mr. Pelham

The Case of Mr. Pelham

posted 5 years ago by [email protected] (1732)
5 replies | jump to latest

I find it intriguing that Peele credits Rod Serling's TZ episode of "Mirror Image" as his
inspiration for his (admittedly strong) screenplay for "Us." Very rare for a filmmaker of
his talent to even mention anyone/anything as an "inspiration."

But let's get real, folks. Aside from the classic "The Invasion of the Body Snatchers,"
Alfred Hitchcock directed a stunning episode of his great TV series namesake called
"The Case of Mr. Pelham" with Tom Ewell in '55, roughly five years before Serling
penned his version of the "everyone has a double" scenario.

I think it's admirable that Peele can be honest enough to admit that his themes are
far from "original." Too bad he couldn't name "Pelham" as a TRUE source. But then
maybe he never saw the Hitchcock episode. which is - at least - equally as powerful.

Surely Peele would be familiar with this classic piece of TV. Aside from predating
Serling's script, it is arguably more disturbing. The final scene from this offering
can truly make the hair on one's neck stand up.

Serling loved to "borrow" - from everyone, and very few of his TZ scripts were
born from any genuine originality.

[–] AngularTurnip (3333) 5 years ago

Good call. "Pelham" is excellent. I still think "Mirror" might be a little better though because it's more ambiguous. Still, "Mirror" and "Pelham" are both extremely well-crafted variations on the classic doppelganger story ... and "Present"'s indeed predates "Mirror."

[–] [email protected] (1732) 5 years ago

I think "Pelham" is far superior, but that's just a matter of opinion. Both are superb, and both are greatly acted.

[–] AngularTurnip (3333) 5 years ago

It's also interesting to note that in "Image" we never actually observe any other character see Millicent's doppelganger other than Millicent whereas in "Pelham," at the climax, we see the manservant and "Pelham"'s double interacting. We also never see anyone else in "Image" interacting with Paul's double other than Paul. So, are the doubles real in "Image"? Or, is this a case of a madness shared by two? To his credit, Serling doesn't give an answer to this, or any other question, regarding "Mirror"'s doubles.

[–] [email protected] (1732) 5 years ago

No, I get that we're supposed to suspect Millicent's sanity - just like Paul and the old man do - UNTIL Paul
sees his (very threatening and teasing) double. I don't get that Serling was trying to make madness shared
by two. Paul's double PROVES the truth to Paul - and us.

[–] AngularTurnip (3333) 5 years ago

You're probably right.

I wonder if Paul tried to convince others, as Millicent did, that he had a double. And if so was he met with skepticism and outright hostility too?

Paul probably ended up in the same institution as Millicent.